Use this page to help determine which contract is appropriate for your employment. Click on the contract type to sort the FAQs, or choose All to see all of the questions and answers.
Which Contract Do I Use?
I’m hiring a foreign director and/or choreographer this season, and I need a consult letter for his/her visa application.
“All requests are reviewed by SDC’s International Artists Committee. The following materials are required: a cover letter outlining the details of the request, a copy of the I-129 petition, the accompanying materials submitted with the petition, and the draft contract or deal memo. The fees are as follows:
- No charge for Members in good standing, standard service. (Turnaround time within two weeks of SDC’s receipt of all required materials.)
- $250 for Members, expedited service. (Turnaround time within three to five business days of SDC’s receipt of all required materials.)
- $500 for non-Members, standard service.
- $1,000 for non-Members, expedited service.
The materials can be submitted digitally to the Artistic Affairs department (ext. 236, Membership@SDCweb.org), or hard copies can be mailed to the attention of Artistic Affairs, SDC, 321 West 44th Street, Suite 804, New York, NY 10036.”
Which theatres should file the Tier Contract?
ALL seasonal theatres and not-for-profit Theatres/Producers not subject to an SDC collectively bargained agreement should file the Tier Contract. Please note that this Contract is not applicable for any Production in New York City in a theatre of 100 seats or more.
How is the Tier level determined?
The contract sets minimum compensation amounts based on the average of three criteria:
i) Ticket prices
ii) Seating capacity/ House size
iii) Number of performances
The Tier Contract form is a dynamic PDF and is designed to automatically calculate the appropriate tier category based on an average of the three criteria mentioned above. Employers should complete the form electronically and allow the form to calculate the Tier category. The contract form will provide the proper Tier category as well as the appropriate health contribution.
Please reference the PDF Tier Contract Form to understand how the above mentioned data automatically calculates the applicable Tier.
How does SDC know that the Theatre/Producer is supplying the correct criteria, and therefore the correct Tier for a particular venue/show?
The data supplied (ticket price, seating capacity and number of performances) are clearly on the contract form. SDC will expect the Member director and/or choreographer to self-police that the information on the contract is accurate. Of course, no one should ever sign a contract without reading it first!
Can I sign a Tier Contract with a below minimum compensation level?
No, members may not sign contracts at below minimum terms. If the contract presented to a member is below minimum terms the member should contact Contracts Affairs for assistance.
If I negotiate a fee greater than minimum does my pension and health increase?
Since the pension payment is an amount equal to 8% of your fee, it will increase as your fee increases. Health payments are based on the Tier category and may not be increased or decreased.
If I get hired to direct or choreograph at a college or university, is the Tier Contract applicable?
No. There is an Academic Tier Contract for this purpose. The term “Academic” refers to any Academic Institution, including High Schools, Community Colleges, Colleges and Universities. Though this contract does not set a minimum fee, it does provide minimum pension and health contributions.
I am directing/choreographing for a festival. Is the Tier Contract the appropriate agreement to use?
SDC currently has a separate agreement for NYMF. For all festival contracts other than the New York Musical Theatre Festival you should contact SDC to determine the appropriate agreement.
I am working on a commercial production outside of NYC. Does the Tier Contract apply here?
All Commercial entities/ventures should contact SDC for the appropriate contract.
How is the Tier level determined?
There are two Academic Tier Levels:
Academic Tier A – This is a non-accredited higher educational institution like a community college or certificate program, or any K-12 school.
Academic Tier B – This is a fully accredited College or University.
Why is there no minimum compensation level?
Academic institutions vary greatly in size and their ability to compensate visiting artists. Because of this, there is no minimum fee. You should negotiate with the institution directly for a salary level you’re comfortable with.
If I negotiate a fee greater than minimum does my pension and health increase?
Since the pension payment is an amount equal to 8% of your fee, it will increase as your fee increases. Health payments are based on the Tier level and may not be increased or decreased.
What happens if a show is extended?
If a show extends beyond the originally contracted period, the director, choreographer, or director-choreographer is due no less than 6% of their contractual fee per week, pro-ratable based on a 7 performance week. Under the Academic Tier Agreement, payment shall be as calculated above. Under the Tier Agreement, in no case shall payment be less than twelve dollars ($12) per performance.
Additional pension (8%) and health (8%) contributions are due on any extension payments and must be paid as same accrues.
The Tier Contract requires the placement of the SDC Logo in a conspicuous place in the program. Where can I find the Logo?
The SDC logo can be found at http://www.sdcweb.org/contracts/program-logos
I’m a not-for-profit producer with a production outside New York City and my organization produces on a seasonal basis
I’m producing a reading, workshop, or other developmental project, and I’m not producing under a collectively bargained agreement that covers this type of activity
I’m a high school, community college, certification program, or another non-accredited institution
I’m a fully accredited college or university
I’m producing in the New York Musical Theatre Festival
NYMF Agreement – For more information, contact Suzette Porte at 212-391-1070 x 242 or SPorte@sdcweb.org.
I’m producing in a different play festival in or outside NYC.
I’m producing a concert, benefit, industrial, award show, gala, or some other type of unique activity not listed above.
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